The time of the promise is approaching

Like Joseph, Moses is also a deliverer. Let us look into this. “‘But as the time of the promise which God had assured to Abraham was approaching, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph.’” (1) During their stay in Egypt, the people of Israel increased and multiplied, becoming a great nation. The appearance of Moses was evidence that “the time of the promise which God had assured to Abraham” was approaching. The Exodus was the event that fulfilled the promises of the Abrahamic covenant. (2) “Another king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph” arose. In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) translated the word “new’ (hadash) in Exodus 1:8 as “heteros” (meaning qualitatively distinct from other). The word “heteros” suggests that a new dynasty had arisen in Egypt. From this time, anti-Semitic policies began. “It was he who…mistreated our fathers in order that they would abandon their infants in the Nile, so that they would not survive. At this time Moses was born…” (1) Egypt was the first nation in human history to adopt an anti-Semitic policy. Pharaoh ordered to kill if a Hebrew infant was a male. The future Pharaoh commanded that all newborn boys be thrown into the Nile River. (2) When Moses was born, his parents hid him at home for three months, but when they could no longer do so, they placed him in a basket in the Nile River. (3) Pharaoh’s daughter found the infant and raised him as her own in the royal palace. “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was proficient in speaking and action.” (1) Moses, as a prince of Egypt, studied imperial leadership. Luke does not detail Moses’ education, but Josephus and Philo mention that it included mathematics, geometry, music, literature, astronomy, writing, and philosophy. (2) Moses had exceptional abilities, but he struggled with having two identities: Egyptian and Hebrew. (3) At the age of 40, he chose his identity as a Hebrew. “Considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward” (Heb. 11:26). We, too, will be faced with life choice, which is whether to prioritize the wealth of this world or to prioritize walking with God.